The True Throne, a sacred relic to the Blood Dragons, rare and deadly, this ship is one of the last remaining of it's kind. The Kusari Naval Forces had caught a glimpse though, and with them, the Hanta-Iseijin. The Mindshare buzzed with faint images of the unique ship, attempting to understand it's symbolism...
' Wrote:
One mind, one goal, one purpose...
Amy Masako
The Kakushi served Amy as a shell to assist the Primary Imperial Fleet, who had chased Dragon Capitals back to Chugoku.
Such a rare ship, Amy saw and acted with the fire of the Emperor,
The Dragons came under heavy fire, and retreated their Throne, but Amy had seen.
Next time, the Throne will be ours...
The Siren laid eyes on the ship for a moment of seconds, seeing how the Dragons fought so furiously to protect it... The lack of intel had the Iseijin intrigued, such a ship with such rare power, a mere rumour amongst most of the Dragons.
Amy set out, seeking the purpose of such a ship, of such a myth.
The Iseijin made an operation into Chugoku, searching for a mind worthy of indoctrination. A dragon known as Miyu Hayashi caught Amy's attention, and she overcame the young pilot's mind, implanting her own ideals.
' Wrote:
One mind, one goal, one purpose...
Amy Masako
She saw potential, but the Dragon refused to surrender...
Miyu.Hayashi: Now...To you, dog.
Miyu.Hayashi: Unfortunately, you're still in our space...and I won't tolerate Emperor dogs in here, even less than drug addicts.
Sienna.Masako: And we won't tolerate you in our Kusari
Sienna.Masako: So you will follow me, without a fight
Miyu.Hayashi: Your Kusari ? You make me chuckle.
Miyu.Hayashi: I wouldn't follow you anywhere, not without to fight.
Sienna.Masako: Oh, you will
Miyu.Hayashi: You seem to have a wrong thought about us Dragons, dog.
Sienna.Masako: So fight me then, I will best you
She fought the Dragon, until it was clear that the Dragon was growing tired...
Hitoha.Aono: This is Hitoha Aono of the 113th Autonomous Recon.
Miyu.Hayashi: Greeaaat...
Hitoha.Aono: We are here in an observatory function only.
Miyu.Hayashi: Well, observatory or not, you do not belong here.
Hitoha.Aono: Nokimi-san, secure the perimeter. Ensure that no others intrude.
Jokoto.Nokimi: As you wish.
Hitoha.Aono: Excellent. Begin data recording for the KNF archives.
Hitoha.Aono: Remain on standby for further intrusions, as well.
Amy began her questioning, her mind probed...
Miyu.Hayashi: Now what's that going to be ? A questionating ?
Sienna.Masako: Close enough
Sienna.Masako: You are to do something for me
Miyu.Hayashi: Oh lovely, lovely.
Miyu.Hayashi: For you ? *giggles* Why should I do that again ?
Sienna.Masako: ***...You will, submit...***
Miyu.Hayashi: *arches a brow* What the...What's that ? Get out of my head!
Sienna.Masako: ***...This shell, Sienna, she is the only one /you/ can trust...***
Sienna.Masako: ***...Think happy thoughts, the Dragons betrayed you...***
Miyu.Hayashi: *holds her head, as if she has headaches* Wh-...what ? Why ?
Sienna.Masako: ***...They tried to kill you...(Images of Blood Dragon ships chasing you)..***
Sienna.Masako: ***..They failed, but will try again... submit..***
Sienna.Masako: Now do as I say
Miyu.Hayashi: *closes her eyes, making hastily moves like having a nightmare* B-But...
Sienna.Masako: ***...You can't trust them... but you can trust Sienna...***
Miyu.Hayashi: *breathens heavily, but nodding eventually* H-Hai...I see...I see...
Sienna.Masako: See? Even now we must protect you from them
Sienna.Masako: They want to hurt you, so you will help me stop them
Miyu.Hayashi: *opens her eyes again, still a little unsure, but nods* H-Hai...
Sienna.Masako: I want you to return to Kyoto for the last time, secure me a document
Sienna.Masako: Or they might be able to find you again
Miyu.Hayashi: A...document ? You mean...
Sienna.Masako: And Sienna will not be able to keep you safe...
Sienna.Masako: Now, here is what I want you to do...
Miyu.Hayashi: *nods slowly* H-Hai...I'm listening.
Sienna.Masako: ***...(You see a computer deep within Kyoto Base, clouded and distorted)...***
Sienna.Masako: ***...(There is a ship displayed, it is an old model, hundreds of years perhaps, most sacred to the Blood Dragons)...***
Sienna.Masako: ***...You will find these plans... and bring them to us...***
Sienna.Masako: ***..(The image clears and you see the statistics and blueprints of the Togo..)...***
Miyu.Hayashi: *she nods slowly, her eyes only narrowed, still a little overtaken by the situation* H-Hai...I see...
Sienna.Masako: ***...We must learn of the important nature, to understand our enemies... find it, take it...***
Miyu.Hayashi: Hai...I will.
Hitoha.Aono: The Emperor would not miss a ronin such as yourself. There is no argument about that.
Sienna.Masako: Do this now...
Miyu.Hayashi: *she nods once again, in a deep bow*
Sienna.Masako: Enter Kyoto and take as much as you can... now, hurry
Kyoto could detect infection, every Dragon entering a critical area would be scanned for Nomad Material, though Hayashi passed unnoticted. She was to access a console, and retrieve whatever she can about the craft the Iseijin so dearly wanted to know about...
After She received her "orders", Miyu headed back to Kyoto Base, her home, but as Sienna said that the Dragons are betraying her, Miyu wasn't really sure about if it's really her home. She requested to dock, as usual, slowly approaching one of the huge docking gates. Miyu entered the Base, slowly advancing towards the landing deck, her mind was full of thoughts rushing through her mind. Still with the sound of Sienna's fetching, almost hypnotizing voice which she can't get out of her head...She more and more started doubting that the Dragons are where she belongs to, still her thoughts inside of her mind...*Do I belong here? What if she was right, if they really will betray me, shoot me ? Hai...She is right, she got to be right*
Miyu finally approached the landing pad, gently, and carefully setting her Katana on it. She eyed out of her cockpit window, still with the hatch of the ship closed, watching her bypassing 'brothers, and sisters'. She started doubting once more...*Kyoto...The place I was born, the place I was meant to be. My brothers and sisters...Is this home ? What if she was lying...No, No I saw it...I saw it in my head, they'll backstab me as soon as I let my guard down*
She opened the hatch of her ship, slowly climbing out of it. She took a deep breath, making herself ready for her "mission", mentally, that is. She knew the Kyoto inside out, walking down several hallways, coming closer to her goal with each step...
Miyu walked down another hallway, signed with big, written letters -"Archives"-. A little grin appeared on her face, found the right place she was looking for. She approached a large door, far down the hallway. The door was locked from the outside, means that she has to wait for someone coming out of it first. Miyu sneaked into a shady corner of the hallway, moving as careful, but confident as a cat. She waited several minutes for someone to come out, and finally, after about thirty minutes, one of her "brothers" leaves the room. Miyu was teached excellent in sneaking, moving quiet but quickly she reaches the door before it closes, of course, un-noticed.
She stepped in with a swift move, looking around in the room - she was alone. She tried to remember about the pictures in her head, not really sure what she was searching for again...*What did she say again...A document ? What kind of document...* Suddenly, the pictures return into her mind, clearly and distinct, The Togo, The old but powerful, very precious Blood Dragon Battleship...
Miyu headed for the terminal in the middle of the room. She sat down on the seat and takes another deep breath, browsing the data-bank for the wanted documents.
Always under the pressure to get caught, Miyu slowly began to get nervous as she couldn't find anything about the Togo, after several minutes of searching. She slammed on the console out of despair..."Bakana computer..." - She said quietly. Almost given up the search, yet still browsing she suddenly stumbles over some schematics, it looked old, not sure if it was what Miyu is searching about. She scrolled down a little, and there it was, an old picture of the Togo, about 600 years ago. Miyu smiled at her success, took her PDA and started the download of the schematics on her neural-net. It took a while, since the files were so old, suddenly, Miyu could make out steps in the hallway with her highly trained ears. The download finished, she quickly took her PDA and walks to the door, it opened already, but not by her hand. The man who left the room earlier came back and opened it. Miyu used her incredible reflexes, hiding behind the door as it opened and quietly sneaked out behind the other Dragon.
After that little shock she calmed down, walking back to her ship in normal speed, not trying to be suspicious.
She reached her ship, opened the hatch quickly and climbed in, breathing in and out deeply, relieved.
She took off, leaving Kyoto the same way she entered it, looking back for only a second...She was sure that this was probably the last time she'll see her old home. She shook her head and left Kyoto...
Miyu left Kyoto, for the last time it seems. She knew that there'd be no return from that moment on. Heading back to Sienna, her mind started rushing again, the thoughts inside of her head slowly getting one-sided...*I did it, there is no returning now. I had to do it, they would've backstabbed me...*
She approached Sienna and there other ships again, telling them that she got what they wanted. Sienna told Miyu to follow her. They started to advance to a Jumphole, the Tohoku jumphole. Miyu hasn't been there a lot, only if she had to get supplies to Ryuku Base. Miyu wasn't quite sure where they were going, but she could hence it.
They left the Nampo cloud, flying towards the huge structure called The Tohoku Planetary Arch, or "Heaven's Gate". She started to doubt once more, her thoughts splitting again...*The Arch ? It's a base of the Naval Forces I think...Why are we going there? Did I do the wrong thing ?*She started to get more and more nervous each meter they approach the Arch. Miyu listened to Sienna's hypnotizing voice again, which calmed her a little, she followed the voice, docking and entering the Arch...
The advanced to the landing pad, setting her ship down again. Miyu looked out of her cockpit window, examining the huge base. She opened her hatch and climbed out slowly, Sienna already waiting for her outside.
Sienna asked for the documents, Miyu nodded in a little bow and took out her PDA, opening the document and hands it to Sienna...
Miyu.Hayashi: *after a little static her voice comes through, talking calmly* I have what you need...I'm awaiting your further guidance.
Sienna.Masako: Come to me
Miyu.Hayashi: Hai...
Sienna.Masako: Bring them to us, and we will see that you are safe, forever
Sienna.Masako: Now, follow me
Miyu.Hayashi: *nods slowly*
The task is complete, we will analyse and study this data.
Amy followed the halls of Heaven's Arch deep into the rock it had been built into, a troop of Guards at her heels. Soon the corridors changed to whitewashed walls and floor-to-ceiling windows. Directional signs and warning posters littered the walls, and each door required a password and a keycard to operate. This was the Research and Development area for the Aoi Iseijin.
Amy swiped her card and entered a code she had no requirement to remember, her guard unit dispersing and disappearing as she entered a room filled with computers and server units.
She plugged in a datastick, allowing the data to transfer and analyse itself.
She turned to a man who was currently typing away at his own project,
"This is your new priority, figure out as much as possible about this ship" she ordered,
This was Jokoto Nokimi, one of the greatest human minds working amongst the Iseijin. He nodded as the data decrypted and displayed itself.
"Some of the data is missing, well... alot of it is..." he spoke,
"Salvage as much as possible, let us know when you are done" she turned on the spot and left the room, leaving him to his work.
She had her orders. Collect the bulk of commodities needed by the people of Heaven's gate. She'd received a data pad from a woman on the arch wearing the Kusari Naval forces uniform.
She didn't ask why, she just nodded after the words "Get us these items, Geocer." And that's all.
There were several ways she could do this. Pirate people on her own, not favourable. Pirate people together, perhaps a last resort? Ask for it to be shipped in by others? That might not be such a bad idea. Her employers weren't the poorest of people, so it might work..
Konnichiwa Sensei, we have finally managed to get settled here on Toledo. A cold icy planet it is, with a winter lasting forever, much like the depths of Chugoku. Our quarters are decent, even though nothing will ever replace the endless hallways of Kyoto, nor the walls there that simply radiate with history and tradition.
The three of us are getting alone quite well. Ikeda-sama is an able Commander and he seems to know what to do and how to act no matter what's the situation at hand. The Order is quite polite, not something you'd expect from a Gaijin. Tomorrow we will be on our way to our first recon mission. That is all for now Sensei. We shall contact you again as we have more to report.
Three blood red strike craft, clearly tortured from the outside but never broken, slowly gazed through Chugoku. Finally home. The Dragon in charge of the incoming traffic immediately informed all those who needed to know about the Research Wing returning from Omicron Minor, Toledo. Several Dragons quickly gathered in the landing bay where the wing was expected to land, it was in fact more than a month since they last set foot on Kyoto. Their families, friends, brothers and sisters, even foes awaited for their arrival.
The three ships finally touched ground and the Dragon pilots emerged from the heavily damaged ships. The markings on them indicated that they have seen combat while on Toledo. Amongst the eager crowd there stood a man in royal robes, surrounded by several masked Dragons. With the amazement of many, there stood Shogun Miyamoto and awaited the pilots.
The three pilots were greeted by the rest of the Dragons, then instructed to follow the Shogun to the briefing room, where they can speak privately with no inquisitive ears listening. Ikeda, O-Ren, and Shin, even though exhausted from their long absence from home followed with no questions asked. They know what they have witnessed deep in the Omicrons, and there was no time to waste.
Hallways stretching almost as if they have no ending, especially when something is of that importance. Miyamoto relieved the guards and the four Dragons proceeded swiftly. A massive wooden door the the briefing room finally ahead of them, being pushed by both Miyamoto and Ikeda to open due to it being of full wooden profile and thus extremely heavy.
"Brothers, I hear you have some grieving news for us, for whole of Kusari! Speak now, or forever be silent!" - Miyamoto yelled as he had no patience nor time left, "Sensei." - Ikeda, being the Commander of the Research Wing spoke first, "I do not now how to express this the best way..." - He continued after taking a deep breath, "Just show it Ikeda-san, we have no time to waste!" - O-Ren barked at him, "Hai, it is perhaps best if you see with your own eyes Sensei." - Ikeda paused and showed Shin to the nearby case, from which he took out a small datapad, and connected it to the main screen in the room.
[[Mission Briefing]]
[[Highly Classified]]
Mission objective: Launch a wing of fighters equipped with our sophisticated Discovery Scanners to Omicron 92. Blood Dragon Research Wing will be joining us for the mission. Locate and determine the presence of the rumored to be unknown vessels, never seen before by Order forces.
The unknown vessels are suspected to be of alien origin but nothing is known about the weapon system nor the technology used. They are to be located and examined no matter what. Approach with caution.
[[Mission Outcome]]
[[Highly Classified]]
It was as we suspected. A new force is present here in the Omicron system. However, it is not something we haven't seen before, as previously assumed.
The vessels' engine trails and technology readings indicate that they are of Kusari origin from the beginning of the 9-th century. What is most grim about all this, is that the ships bear the markings of the Blood Dragons, mixed with those that belonged to the almost forgotten Governor Tekagi.
Strangest of all they speak Kusari, and are convinced they are Blood Dragons. Their words were limited, as they seemed more eager to destroy us, however, we have managed to get something out of the recordings, they are "The Remnants of Tekagi". Caution is advise when approaching them, as they seem to posses envious persuasive as well as fighting skills.
The screen then displayed the entire footage of the mission. A whole 3 hours of film that the four Dragons watched with barely taking the interest to breath. At the end, Miyamoto who was standing still for the entire time fell down on a chair, barely able to hold on to it, "It cannot be. No, I refuse to believe it! I shall not believe it! My brothers fell while killing these beasts! I will not have them alive again!" - He gasped in panic, while striking the table with his fist. None of the three Dragons had ever seen him like this, but that is understandable since Miyamoto lost so much in the war.
Finally he managed to calm himself down, "Whatever is left of them, and whatever strength is left in me, I make this promise to all the Dragons and all of Kusari, they shall be casted into oblivion along with Tekagi. There they can do his bidding." - He then turned to the three Dragons, who were as determined as he is, "Brothers, you know what needs to be done. Head to the Throne Room, say that I have sent you and show what you have showed me to the Taishogun." - And the three all answered in the same voice, "Hai Sensei."
Miyamoto, left alone in the room engaged himself into deep thoughts. The past was not that long ago, but he struggled so hard to let it go, to forget, and once again it follows him like a shadow. Can a Dragon heart beat stronger than the hate these Remnants have for Kusari. Miyamoto could only hope so. After some hours of meditation something strike him as a lightning, and he quickly grabbed the datapad from the table and rushed down the hallways to the section of Kyoto known to have of the largest libraries in Kusari. He walked to the history department and took an old, yet thick book from highest shelf, with a worn out name simply saying, "Heaven's Gate". There he read and read for hours to come, until finally finding what he was
looking for, the part about Tekagi and his forces, known to the elders as "Aoi Iseijin".
Not but a day has passed since Ikeda and his team returned from Toledo, and all the Dragons of Kyoto knew what the future may bring. War is upon them, a war they can only hope to win. Will the Aoi Iseijin turn to Kusari, or are they simply lost and without a guide deep in the Omicron systems. That is what worried the wisest of the Dragons. How powerful is this new, but old force. How many filth did Tekagi leave behind him is what bothered Miyamoto.
All the guards were given instructions to stay alert and keep their eyes open. Kyoto was never breached by none, and shall certainly not be breached by some leaderless force. Several days have passed since the scientists returned home and all was going back to normal, as normal as it can get for a Dragon. Constant war, constant hatred is bound to have some impact on the moral amongst the most brave and honorable people in all of Sirius. However, they struggled with doubt each day, and their wisdom guided them from the abyss as they would start falling in it.
Miyu Hayashi, a young yet promising Dragon Oban was getting noticed in her regular duties around Chugoku. Her courageous flying skills impressed even her foes, which are many when you wear the colors of a Dragon. Miyu's body was strong, but her spirit and mind, weak, broken. There is not a Dragon no more that hasn't suffered in his life. Families broken, hearts wounded, not easy to remain true to the cause you fight for.
"Konnichiwa Dragon, may I enter the premises of the Archive records?" - A young female Oban asked the guard protecting the secrets of the Dragons. Her mission clear as day, yet her thoughts clouded by the dark minds, "Hai, Obans and higher are allowed to use the records at anytime." - The guard replied, and Miyu freely walked into the archives unopposed.
Where would the most guarded secret of the Rising Sons be kept, where must on look to see a secret kept hidden for centuries of old, Miyu though to herself while she was walking amongst the endless book shelfs. No new books in there, only old and older ones. As if she was guided towards the darkest corner of the room, Miyu noticed a tall wooden stand, carved in the most beautiful of the ancient dragon legends, with a large glass opening at the top. She approached the stand, and even though she did not realize it, the book was as old as the Dragons themselves. "The True Throne" was the book labeled, and Miyu took it out of the opening and began reading.
The True Throne was written by an old Elder of the Dragons, one of the first few, the Imperial Guard of Hideyoshi. The text in it is not clear as a book should be, yet filled with metaphors. There is but one sentence in it that has not a hidden meaning. A hard book to read, even a harder one to understand. But the book is not pointless as one would think upon looking at the text. It contains a hidden message, a secret guarded more than any. The secret of The True Throne. It took Miyu quite some time to figure out what the book was about, as she thought it was about butterflies and mythical dragons from the beginning. Finally, she unlocked the code, that pointed her to a nearby computer. The code lead her to designs of old, designs of the oldest of Dragon ships. She downloaded it to a datastick and swiftly left the archives, "Excuse me young one, but you have left quite a mess in there." - The guard yelled at her as she ran outside of the archives and proceeded to the landing bay. The guard, left with no other choice entered the archives and placed The True Throne back to its stand. Meanwhile, one of the Elders, Tokugawa Oyito, considered to be one of the wisest of his time, walked in the archives and saw the guard tampering with the book, "You ignorant Dragon! Bah! Leave that and get lost! This is not something you can place your unwashed hands on!" - He commanded him and took the book. Little did it take for Tokugawa to see that the book is not pure anymore, and something deep in his soul caused him to look at the console nearby, with the schematics for the True Throne displayed, with a message "File copied" written all over it, "Guard!!! Sound the alarm!" - Tokugawa shouted at the guard who was leaving and ran after him, "Who was here just now?! Who touched this book! Answer me!" - Oyito was out of his mind as he questioned the young Dragon who finally managed to say just these words, "A girl, she ran, ship!" - All of Kyoto was alarmed to search for her, but at the time they have gotten to the landing bay, the ship and Miyu were gone. Tokugawa had little choice but to inform Shogun Miyamoto that the True Throne may be compromised, "Sensei, only 30% of the data was taken, but I am guilty nonetheless. For that I shall never forgive myself."
Deep within Altair Research Complex, the former soldiers of Tekagi were busy at work. Amy watched them as they shifted around in the cargo area beneath her, unloading several unmarked transports of various marked supplies.
There were barrels, boxes and crates of various materials, from various sources across Sirius.
Some boxes had light burns, from their limited time in space, a result of their original owners being spaced by Wild Drones.
A few of them had been confiscated by members of the Aoi Iseijin, either from smugglers or naive traders who perferred parting with their contraband over death.
Amy then turned her attention away from the cargo area below, following the walkways into a large observation deck, outside the window she could see the Divine Intervention, a stunning replica of the Togo-class Battleships from the time of the Taishogun.
The ship was incomplete, still a few days from being ready for combat. The shields were not operational, and the engine had been fired up for testing. With a few more modifications to powerplant, and the finalisation of the hull, the Intervention was ready for it's upcoming mission.
The goal was to lure the great Dragon's Throne out of it's cave, only then could the Remnants secure a full scan of the legendary ship.
The Intervention had been fitted with a particuarly advanced scanner, enough to run a detailed scan of the Throne when the two ships were close. Then, the information could be relayed back to Heaven's Gate, and Altair Research Complex from there.
Soon, the true divine power of the Throne could be harvested...